28 May 2023 , 23:00
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Roy Keane has once again urged Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to get rid of David de Gea, despite the Spanish goalkeeper's heroics on the final day of the Premier League season.
De Gea, 32, saved a penalty from Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the first half United's 2-1 victory on Sunday, turning the tide in the match. After completing the comeback win, the Red Devils' No.1 was awarded with the Premier League golden glove for the most clean sheets collected this term (17).
But Keane, who's called for his former team to replace De Gea on multiple occasions, remains steadfast in his verdict that the 32-year-old isn't at the level required to challenge for elite honours. Speaking while images of him being awarded the golden glove by United manager Ten Hag were being played, Keane began on Sky Sports : "De Gea, they're patting him on the back there.
"I'd move him on quickly, he's not for me, he's not going to get Man United back winning trophies, absolutely not. This idea of everybody patting him on the head, it's just ridiculous. That's his job."
Fellow pundit Micah Richards then suggested that the Red Devils could bring in another goalkeeper to challenge De Gea, but Keane doesn't believe that the Spaniard would be willing to play second fiddle. "You wouldn't keep him as a number two," the ex-United captain went on. "He's been number one at United for 10 years, he wouldn't stay on to be [backup]."
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Keane's claims come during uncertain period for De Gea at Old Trafford, having not yet signed a new deal and his current contract due to expire this summer. Ten Hag insists that he isn't going anywhere, though, saying after Sunday's victory: "I have to repeat, last game, last week, every time, we want him to stay, he wants to stay, we will find each other.
David de Gea was presented with the Premier League golden glove by Erik ten Hag (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Have your say! Should Manchester United sell David de Gea? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
"It shows you can progress, it was a great save, it's a step up in his performance. I think that it’s a symbol for our team during the season, good is not good enough, you have to do better, it was a great save in the right moment of the game. We turned the game and we win the game."
De Gea himself is also confident that he'll reach a fresh agreement with club chiefs, saying in February: "We're still talking. I'm just focused on the games, that's the most important thing, but for sure it's going to end in a good way."
Ten Hag, however, could still bring in a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. Brentford's David Raya has been linked alongside Porto shot-stopper Diogo Costa.